Midterm Study Guide
The midterm will take place on Thursday, March 5 at 6-8 pm
The exam will consist of two parts, both based on lectures and assigned primary documents. Part A quotes will be taken from documents assigned up to the week on the 1930s. Four essay study questions are given in advance below.
Part A: Identify, situate chronologically (approximately), and briefly explain any FOUR of the SIX provided quotes from primary documents assigned for this class (worth 40%). Answer these questions about each: Who said it? What was he or she referring to? What major theme in post-1877 American history this quote relates to? Why are this quote and the person who said it important?
Part B: Answer any ONE of the TWO provided questions with a complete, well-organized essay (worth 60%). The final essay covers the course material from the beginning of the semester up to the 1930s, including lectures and documents.
The midterm is worth 25% of the final grade.
Essay Study Questions
1. How did the concept of "social darwinism" influence the economic, political, and social transformations at the end of the nineteenth century? Give at least three historical events and/or personalities as examples.
2. At the end of the nineteenth century the United States conducted several wars aimed to bring democracy to various world nations. What were these nations and how successful were these democratization projects?
3. Describe the conservative movements that emerged in the United States in the 1920s. What were their causes and consequences?
4. What were the major economic, political, and cultural consequences of the Great Depression? Discuss with reference to at least one economic aspect (for example, the rise of unions), political figure (for example, Huey Long), and cultural phenomenon (for example, FSA photography).